閑不徹・Infinite Quietude

The other day there was “Shiwasu Chaka’i” (December Tea Event) at Kanso’u-an in Nichibei Ka’ikan in San Francisco. This year friends from Urasenke were serving tea, while Omotesenke folks were in charge of soba noodles.

The quietness of clouds is contrasted against the busy movement of flowing water. But both clouds and water are moving “without any worldly entanglement.” Clouds do not complain: “it is too quiet.” Water does not complain: “it is too busy.” Whether quiet or hectic, each life is just as fulfilling. That is the teaching of the scroll.